Roof

ABSTRACT

A roof for auditoriums, stadiums, et cetera, with a circular ground plan or a ground plan similar to a circle, which has a frustum or a trough-shaped roof ring with roof sheeting inclined downwards and inwards and which consists of an outside supported pressure ring and an inner pull ring and of pull elements connecting the pressure and pull rings.

United States Patent Semisch Jan. 29, 1974 [54] ROOF FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS lnvemofi Giimel' Solingen/BRD, 1,109,346 6/1961 Germany 52/18 Germany [73] Asslgnee: ggizg z gzt z r & sohn Primary Examiner-John E. Murtagh g y Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Abraham A. Saffitz [22] Filed: Sept. 13, 1972 [21] App]. No.: 288,500

[5 7] ABSTRACT 30 F A li P" 1 orelgn pp cam) nomy Data A roof for auditoriums, stadiums, et-cetera, with a cir- Sept. 15, Germany P 21 ar gr nd pla o a g ound p n i r to a l which has a frustum or a trough-shaped roof ring with :LtS-il. f ng nc ned own ar s and in a d a d d 80 237 which consists of an outside supported pressure ring 1 o earc and an inner pull ring and of pull elements connecting References Cited the pressure and pull rIngs.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 8 Claims 7 Drawing Figures 2,231,396 2/1941 Smits 52/8 PATENTEDJAHZQ 1974 3 788014 SHEET 3 BF 4 FIG. 5

PATENTED JAN 2 9 1974 saw u 0F 4 m DE ROOF

The invention relates to a roof for auditoriums, stadiums, et cetera, with a circular ground plan or a ground plan similar to a circle, which has a grustum or a trough-shaped roof ring with roof sheeting inclined downwards and inwards and which consists of an outside supported pressure ring and an inner pull ring and of pull elements connecting the pressure and pull rings.

In the case of a known roof of this type (German published application No. 14 09 922) only one roof ring extending into the center of the building is provided, which is braced by a weight disposed in the center and which'is secured against wind suction. In the case of this known roof, however, it is disadvantageous that there is no satisfactory possibility to illuminate and/or aerate or ventilate the auditorium from above. Beyond that, the known roof because of its sag requires relatively large unused roof space.

Furthermore, a roof with a conical roof sheeting surface rising upwards is known from German published application No. 12 56 863, in the case of which the roof sheeting is borne by cables stretched between an outside pressure ring and inside pull rings. The inside pull rings have a condiderable vertical extent and every pull ring is attached each time at its lower edge to bracing cables, which run across the upper edge of all outside pull rings toward the pressure ring. This conic roof is also unsatisfactory in regard to illumination and/or aeration or ventilation of the auditorium from above. Beyond that, in the case of this roof, extensive base construction is freely visible, so that it does not satisfy all requirements from an aesthetic point of view either.

The object of the invention is to create a roof for auditoriums, stadiums, et cetera, which makes possible perfect illumination and/or aeration of precisely the center part of the structure from above and in the case of which the unused roof space is kept as small as possible.

Starting with a roof of the initially mentioned type, this is achieved according to the invention by the roof being divided into several concentric roof rings consisting each time of a pressure ring, pull ring and pull elements, that each time the pressure ring of an inside roof ring is kept at a distance from the pull ring of the next larger roof ring by way of supports and that between said supports illuminating and/or ventilating windows are disposed. As a result of these measures, a saw-tooth roof is achieved, which in itself requires only small space and in the case of which, just as in the case of the roof of a shed, the steep surfaces of the flanks are available in each case as illuminating surfaces through which the light enters from above toward the center of the building. The intensity of the light entering in this case can be increased to any desired measure by raising the supports or by subdividing the roof rings to a larger number. From a static point of view, the roof, according to the invention, is self-supporting in regard to the forces developed by its weight, which substantially results from the pressure rings reinforcing (stiffening) the individual roof rings in connection with the conic or trough-like shape of the roof rings.

The roof, according to the invention, can be developed as a closed roof as well as a ring or overroof, for example, for a stadium which has one or more steps and in which only the seats of the spectators are to be 2 covered by the roof while the playing field remains open.

In a development of the invention, the supports can stand perpendicularly on the pull rings or inclined inwards and upwards, preferably at a right angle to the surface of the roof ring. By slanting the supports and the resulting inclination of the illuminating surfaces, the angle of incidence of the light is improved.

In order to stabilize the roof against horizontally directed forces, such as wind forces, provision is made furthermore according to the invention that the supports are attached unshiftably to the pull and pressure rings and that each time the groups of supports disposed between two roof rings are reinforced by way of diagonal braces directed in the peripheral direction of the roof rings.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the outermost roof ring likewise can be supported by way of supports on a ring bracer closing the wall of the building. As a result of this measure, the wall of the building itself can be kept free of horizontally directed tensile stresses, and in the case of perpendicular standing supports the ring bracer, and thus the wall of the building merely needs to carry the weight of the roof.

According to the invention, it furthermore is possible that the outermost pressure ring together with the ring bracer is made into a truss girder (lattice girder) by the insertion of diagonal bars which allow longer distances between the supports in the case of the outer'wall.

A preferred development of the invention consists in that the pull rings are braced by means of bracing cables disposed like a star with a pressure ring borne by the building wall. These bracing cables in the first place are to stabilize the roof against wind suction, for which purpose it furthermore is provided according to the invention that the pressure ring on the building side and the pull rings lie on a surface ascending in an arch or like a cone toward the middle. Consequently, the roof is placed as a result of the bracing cables under a downwardly directed prestress, so that the roof also will withstand strong wind suction. Beyond that, the bracing cables also result in an inner stabilization of the roof.

The object of the application is explained in more detail in the following paragraphs on the basis of a drawing in which:

FIG. 1 shows a round auditorium in cross section with a roof according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the roof according to FIG.

FIG. 3 shows in cross section a stadium in which merely the spectator area is covered by a roof according to the invention,

FIG. 4 is a top view of the roof according to FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 is a cross section through a sector of the roof,

FIG. 6 is an example of the construction of the assemblage points on the pull ring and FIG. 7 is an example of the construction of the assemblage point in the area of the pressure ring.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a round auditorium with the wall 1 of the building and the saw-tooth roof 2 made of roof rings 3 disposed concentrically one inside the other and of the supports 4 each time spacing the roof rings. Roof rings 3 are in the shape of casings in the form of a frustum and comprise each time a pressure ring 5 disposed on their upper edge, a pull ring 6 disposed at their lower edge and of the pull elements 7 connecting the two rings 5 and 6, which can be cables, individual bars, sheets of roof covering, et cetera, on which straps (strips, bands) the roof sheeting rests. The pull element 7 can also consist of one piece together with the roof sheeting, for example, made of sheet steel or plastic fabrics. The pressure rings 5 of an inside roof ring 3 are supported each time by way of supports 4 disposed at a slant on the pull rings 6 of the next larger roof ring, whereby in the case of the embodiment given by way of example supports 4 stand perpendicularly to the surfaces of the roof ring. Illuminating openings and possibly also openings 20 for ventilation (compare FIG. 5) are disposed in the steep surfaces of the sides of the roof resulting from supports 4. Also the outermost pressure ring 5 is supported via supports 4 on a ring bearer 8 closing wall 1 of the building. Ring bearer 8, in the case of the embodiment given by way of example, is developed at the same time as a pressure ring and it is located together with the lower pull ring 6 in a common surface rising conically upwards. Pull rings 6 each time are braced by means of bracing cables 9 with the outside ring bearer 8, whereby through the inclined arrangement of the bracing cables 9 the roof is given a prestress in a downward direction.

As can be seen from the lower part of FIG. 2, all cables 9 run from the outside ring bearer 8 to the innermost pull ring 6. In the upper part, FIG. 2 shows the arrangement of the pull elements 7, which are distributed in accordance with the decrease in surface and weight of the individual roof rings.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a saw-tooth roof for the covering of a stadium open in the middle and comprising merely two roof rings 13. The roof rings are borne in the same manner by supports 14 as in the case of the first embodiment given by way of example and are braced by means of inwardly rising bracing cables 19 against a pressure ring 18 borne by the wall of the stadium. The outermost pressure ring is borne in this case directly by wall 10 of the building.

The partial cross section according to FIG. 5, enlarged in its scale, illustrates in more detail the structure of a roof section which has a triangular cross section and is formed of a roof ring, supports and bracing cable. Pressure ring 5 in this case consists of a pipe which is supported via rod shaped supports 4 on the pull ring 6 of the next larger roof ring formed by a cable. Pull ring 6 pertaining to this roof ring is supported by way of pull elements 7 from pressure ring 5, said pull ring in turn bearing the next following supports 4. Supports 4 are connected unshiftably with pull ring 6 and pressure ring 5. Supports 4--not shown-can be reinforced relative to one another by way of diagonal braces directed in the peripheral direction of the roof, so that the steep surfaces of the sides of the roof are additionally stabilized within themselves. Windows 20 are disposed in these steep surfaces of the sides of the roof. Otherwise the roof sheeting 21 covers the roof construction.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the development of an assemblage point in the area of pull ring 6. Pull ring 6 is screwed onto pull element 7 by way of a connecting collar (bracket) 22, into which clamping elements 23 are inserted. The connecting piece 24 projecting at right angles is welded onto connecting collar 22, over which the pipe-shaped support 4 is pushed. Another connecting collar 25 clamps in the bracing collar 9 and is connected with the connecting collar 22 by way of a screw 26 passing through support 4 and connecting piece 24.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the development of the assemblage point in the area of the pressure ring. In this case the pressure ring is developed as a double T- shaped bearer (support) 27, and the pipe-shaped support 4 provided with a welded on front plate 28 is screwed onto its center limb. On the limb of the pressure ring, which is on the left in FIG. 7, a strip 29 is welded on, to which pull element 7 is screwed on.

I claim:

1. A circular roof for auditoriums, stadiums and the like comprising:

a frustrum shaped roof ring structure having a top which is inclined downwardly and inwardly from the top and having a wall of uniform height about said ring structure;

a roof sheating between the roof top and said roof ring structure;

said roof ring structure consisting of a plurality of concentrically disposed and spaced apart pressure ring elements each of which is separately supported, support means on the outside periphery for each of said ring elements, an inner pull ring and pull element spaced from said pull ring for each pressure ring element which connects the concentric pressure ring elements to the adjacent ring element and provides spaces between said elements; and,

illuminating and ventilating means between said support means in said spaces.-

2. A roof according to claim 1 wherein said support means are inclined perpendicularly to the surface of said roof ring elements.

3. A roof according to claim 1 wherein said support means are inclined toward the inner surface of said roof ring elements.

I 4. A roof according to claim 1 wherein said support means include diagonal struts.

5. A roof according to claim 4 wherein the outermost support means constitutes the outside wall of said frustrum roof ring structure and is adapted to close and to i be secured to the wall of said auditorium or stadium.

6. A roof according to claim 5 wherein said support means of said outside wall of said frustrum roof ring includes ring bearer means and wherein said diagonal struts form a frame girder.

7. A roof according to claim 6 including bracing cables attached to said ring bearer means, said bracing cables being disposed in the form of a star and connecting said ring bearer means to said pull rings.

8. A roof according to claim 7 wherein the plane of said pressure ring is ditferent from the plane of said pull ring and wherein said roof rises at the middle to form a dome or arch. 

1. A circular roof for auditoriums, stadiums and the like comprising: a frustrum shaped roof ring structure having a top which is inclined downwardly and inwardly from the top and having a wall of uniform height about said ring structure; a roof sheating between the roof top and said roof ring structure; said roof ring sTructure consisting of a plurality of concentrically disposed and spaced apart pressure ring elements each of which is separately supported, support means on the outside periphery for each of said ring elements, an inner pull ring and pull element spaced from said pull ring for each pressure ring element which connects the concentric pressure ring elements to the adjacent ring element and provides spaces between said elements; and, illuminating and ventilating means between said support means in said spaces.
 2. A roof according to claim 1 wherein said support means are inclined perpendicularly to the surface of said roof ring elements.
 3. A roof according to claim 1 wherein said support means are inclined toward the inner surface of said roof ring elements.
 4. A roof according to claim 1 wherein said support means include diagonal struts.
 5. A roof according to claim 4 wherein the outermost support means constitutes the outside wall of said frustrum roof ring structure and is adapted to close and to be secured to the wall of said auditorium or stadium.
 6. A roof according to claim 5 wherein said support means of said outside wall of said frustrum roof ring includes ring bearer means and wherein said diagonal struts form a frame girder.
 7. A roof according to claim 6 including bracing cables attached to said ring bearer means, said bracing cables being disposed in the form of a star and connecting said ring bearer means to said pull rings.
 8. A roof according to claim 7 wherein the plane of said pressure ring is different from the plane of said pull ring and wherein said roof rises at the middle to form a dome or arch. 